Patent EA-004864-B1 (EA)
Title: Ammoxidation of a mixture of ketones to acetonitrile and hydrogen cyonide
Inventor: SEELY MICHAEL J
IPC: C07C255/08
Filed: 2000-05-16
Abstract: 1. A process for increasing the yield of co-product HCN and acetonitrile produced during the manufacture of acrylonitrile comprising introducing a hydrocarbon selected from the group consisting of propylene and propane, a crude ketone, ammonia and air into a reaction zone containing an ammoxidation catalyst, reacting the hydrocarbon, crude ketone, ammonia and oxygen over said catalyst at an elevated temperature to produce acrylonitrile, hydrogen cyanide and acetonitrile, and recovering the acrylonitrile, hydrogen cyanide and acetonitrile from the reactor. 2. The process of claim 1 wherein the crude ketone comprises a mixture of at least two C1 to C4 ketones and water. 3. The process of claim 1 wherein the feed ratio of hydrocarbon: ketone ranges from 1: 0.01 to 1: 0.5, on a total carbon basis. 4. The process of claim 3 wherein the temperature ranges from410 to 460 degree C. 5. The process of claim 4 wherein the temperature ranges from430 to 450 degree C. 6. The process of claim 4 wherein the pressure ranges from 1 to 5 atmospheres. 7. The process of claim 5 wherein the pressure ranges from 1 to 5 atmospheres. 8. The process of claim 1 wherein the crude ketone comprises crude acetone. 9. The process of claim 1 wherein the ammoxidation catalyst is characterized by the following formula: AaBbCcDdMo12Ox where A = Li, Na, K, Cs, Tl and combinations thereof, B = Ni, Co, Mn, Mg, Ca and combinations thereof, C = Fe, Cr, Ce, Cu, V, Sb, W, Sn, Ga, Ge, In, P and combinations thereof, D = Bi and/or Te, preferably Bi a = 0.1-4.0, preferably 0.1 to 0.5, b = 0.1-10.0, preferably 5 to 9, and c, d = 0.1-10.0, preferably 0.5 to 4. 10. The process of claim 1 wherein the ammoxidation catalyst is characterized by the following formula: AaBbSb12Ox where A = Fe, Cr, Ce, V, U, Sn, Ti, Nb and combinations thereof, B = Mo, W, Co, Cu, Te, Bi, Zn, B, Ni, Ca, Ta and combinations thereof, a = 0.1-16, preferably 2 to 12, b = 0.0-12, preferably 1 to 10, and the value of x depends on the oxidation state of the elements used. 11. A process for increasing the yield of co-product HCN and acetonitrile produced during the manufacture of acrylonitrile comprising introducing a hydrocarbon selected from the group consisting of propylene and propane, a mixture of at least two ketones, ammonia and air into a reaction zone containing an ammoxidation catalyst, reacting the hydrocarbon, ketones, ammonia and oxygen over said catalyst at an elevated temperature to produce acrylonitrile, hydrogen cyanide and acetonitrile, and recovering the acrylonitrile, hydrogen cyanide and acetonitrile from the reactor. 12. The process of claim 11 wherein the mixture of ketone comprises at least two C1 to C4 ketones. 13. The process of claim 12 wherein the mixture of ketones comprises acetone and methyl isobutyl ketone. 14. The process of claim 13 wherein the mixture of ketones comprises a crude ketone and at least one substantially pure C1 to C4 ketone. 15. The process of claim 14 wherein the temperature ranges from 410 to 460 degree C. 16. The process of claim 15 wherein the temperature ranges from430 to 450 degree C. 17. The process of claim 15 wherein the pressure ranges from 1 to 5 atmospheres. 18. The process of claim 16 wherein the pressure ranges from 1 to 5 atmospheres. 19. The process of claim 11 wherein the ammoxidation catalyst is characterized by the following formula: AaBbCcDdMo12Ox where A = Li, Na, K, Cs, Tl and combinations thereof, B = Ni, Co, Mn, Mg, Ca and combinations thereof, C = Fe, Cr, Ce, Cu, V, Sb, W, Sn, Ga, Ge, In, P and combinations thereof, D = Bi and/or Te, preferably Bi, a = 0.1-4.0, preferably 0.1 to 0.5, b = 0.1-10.0, preferably 5to 9, and c, d = 0.1-10.0, preferably 0.5 to 4. 20. The process of claim 11 wherein the ammoxidation catalyst is characterized by the following formula: AaBbSb12Ox where A = Fe, Cr, Ce, V, U, Sn, Ti, Nb and combinations thereof, B = Mo, W, Co, Cu, Te, Bi, Zn, B, Ni, Ca, Ta and combinations thereof, a = 0. 1-16, preferably 2 to 12, b = 0.0-12, preferably1 to 10, and the value of x depends on the oxidation state of the elements used. 21. A process for the ammoxidation of a mixture of C1 to C4 ketones to produce HCN and acetonitrile comprising introducing the mixture of ketones, ammonia and air into a reaction zone containing an ammoxidation catalyst, reacting the ketones, ammonia and oxygen over said catalyst at an elevated temperature to produce hydrogen cyanide and acetonitrile, and recovering the hydrogen cyanide and acetonitrile from the reactor zone. 22. A process for the ammoxidation of a crude ketone to produce HCN and acetonitrile comprising introducing the crude ketone, ammonia and air into a reaction zone containing an ammoxidation catalyst, reacting the ketone, ammonia and oxygen over said catalyst at an elevated temperature to produce hydrogen cyanide and acetonitrile, and recovering the hydrogen cyanide and acetonitrile from the reactor zone.